Press Release (2006)025 7 March 2006

Informal meeting of Foreign Ministers (IFM 2006) Sofia, Bulgaria 27- 28 April 2006 1. Information Foreign Ministers of NATO will hold an informal meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 27 and 28 April 2006, under the chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, His Excellency Mr. Ivaylo Kalfin, will host the meeting. The National Palace of Culture is the venue for the ministerial sessions. The Media Centre will be located in the same building. 2. Accreditation and Security Checks The Media Accreditation Office will be located in the Glass building at the parking entrance of the National Palace of Culture (opposite the Continental Plaza restaurant), bul. Bulgaria 1, 1414. Opening hours of the Media Accreditation Office: Tuesday, 25 April 10:00 – 18:00 hours Wednesday, 26 April 09:00 – 21:00 hours Thursday, 27 April 09:00 – 19:00 hours Friday, 28 April 07:00 - 12:00 hours Applications for accreditation can only be made electronically on-line, by clicking on the following link: https://my.hq.nato.int/jas In order to complete your accreditation request, you will need to provide a digital picture. Only a 3,5 x 4,5 cm passport-size photograph in JPEG format will be accepted. Every applicant has to create a user name and password. Applications for accreditation should be submitted to NATO before Friday, 21 April 2006. Applications received after that date may not be processed. Press passes will be available for collection at the Media Accreditation Office from 10:00 hours on Tuesday, 25 April 2006. Press passes to be worn visibly will not be mailed to applicants. They may be collected personally at the Media Accreditation Office on presentation of an I.D. card or passport and a valid press card (or letter of accreditation from a recognized media organisation) which should be presented at any time upon request of security personnel. All media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site and are advised to arrive with sufficient time to clear the security checks. Television and radio broadcasters, wire services and photo agencies with bulky equipment are particularly urged to move most of it into the Media Centre before 12:00 hours on Wednesday, 26 April 2006. 3. Media Centre The Media Centre will be operational on the following hours: Wednesday, 26 April 12:00 – 22:00 hours Thursday, 27 April 08:00 – end of operations Friday, 28 April 08:00 – end of operations 4. Broadcasting Television and radio interview rooms and facilities are located at the Media Centre. Satellite uplink trucks and O.B. vans will be parked along the Media Centre. Electricity in Bulgaria is 220V and plugs have two round pins. - Television The Host Television Broadcaster, Bulgarian National Television will provide coverage of arrivals of delegations, the opening sessions, the official group photographs, as well as main international news conferences. For enquiries, please contact: Rumen Stratiev, Television Co-ordinator, Bulgarian National Television Telephone: +359 2 943 63 85 Fax: +359 2 943 60 48 E-mail: stratiev@bnt.bg - Radio The Host Radio Broadcaster, Bulgarian National Radio will provide the signal and technical assistance. For enquiries, please contact: Mrs Albena Milanova Kamburova Radio Co-ordinator Bulgarian National Radio Telephone: +359 2 989 8084; +359 2 9336 554 Fax: +359 2 963 4464 E-mail: milanova@bnr.bg 5. Communications Laptop computers will need to be equipped with RJ 45 plugs in order to be able to connect to the high-speed communication network. ISDN lines will be available for radio transmissions. Please check if you need to use an adapter in “Euro ISDN” standard. 6. Programme and pools The final program of the meetings will be available upon accreditation. Media events will begin on Thursday, 27 April. Pool cards will be distributed at the Media Centre at 12:00 on Thursday, 27 April. 7. Visas, Accommodation and Transport - Visas Please check with the nearest Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate General regarding visa requirements. Visas will be issued free of charge to media representatives covering the ministerials meetings. Please mention that you will cover the NATO foreign ministers meeting when applying for a visa. - Accommodation Media representatives are encouraged to stay in Sofia and are advised to book their hotel rooms as soon as possible. The recommended hotels are: Festa Barcelo Premium Sofia Hotel 83, Bulgaria Blvd., Sofia Tel. +359 2 818 96 18 Fax: +359 2 818 96 28 Central Park Hotel - 4* 106, Vitosha Blvd., Sofia Mrs. Valentina Georgieva Tel. +35 9 2  8110770 Fax: +35 9 2  8110725 Е -mail: valentina.georgieva @grandhotelsofia.bg For further information please call: Mr/Mrs Mrs. Maya Stefanova; Mrs. Dessislava Hristova; Mr. Vladimir Panteleev Telephone: +359 2 971 70 74 Fax: +359 2 971 29 86 E-mail: office@bgviptravel.com - Transport Media representatives will use the existing Public Transport to and from the airport. A bus service will operate on 27 and 28 April between Festa Barcello Hotel and the Media Centre (Central Park Hotel is within walking distance from Media Centre). 8. Payment All major credit cards and bank transfers will be accepted for payments. Currency exchange is available at Banks and currency exchange offices in Sofia. 9. Enquiries Ms. Maya Antonova, Head of Information section Information and Public Relations Directorate Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sofia Telephone: +359 2 948 24 50; +359 2 948 20 09; Fax : +359 2 870 31 40 E-mail : mantonova@mfa.government.bg Mr. François Le Blévennec NATO Media Co-ordinator NATO Press and Media Section NATO Headquarters Telephone: +32 (0)2 707 50 38 Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57 E-mail: sofia.ifm2006@hq.nato.int